The Recommended Reading Order for the Santa Fe Bobcats
The Santa Fe Bobcats series by Jeanette Murray follows the professional players, coaching staff, and love interests of a fictional professional football team based in New Mexico. Since the timeline progresses sequentially along with the team’s seasons and the players' friendships, reading them in publication order is highly recommended to fully appreciate the recurring characters and unfolding team dynamics.
Here is the recommended reading order for the series:
- One Night with a Quarterback (2014) – Focuses on Trey Owens and Cassie Wainwright.
- Loving Him Off the Field (2014) – Focuses on Killian Reeves and Aileen Rogers.
- Takes Two to Tackle (2015) – Focuses on Stephen Harrison and Margaret.
- Romancing the Running Back (2016) – Focuses on Josiah Walker and Anya Fisher.
- Completing the Pass (2016) – Focuses on Josh Leeman and Carrington Gray.
- Challenging the Center (2016) – Focuses on Michael Lambert and Katrina "Kat" Kelly.
- Changing Her Plans (2017) – Focuses on Riley and Sophie.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
For the Santa Fe Bobcats series, publication order and chronological order are identical. The books track the team over a span of several seasons between 2014 and 2017. While each book is designed to function as a standalone contemporary romance with a satisfying happily-ever-after, the characters frequently appear in subsequent installments as supportive teammates, roommates, or friends. Reading out of order will expose minor spoilers regarding who ended up together in previous books, so sticking to the release order is the best strategy for a seamless experience.
In-Depth Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. One Night with a Quarterback (2014)
The series kicks off with Cassie Wainwright, who has recently discovered that her biological father is the head coach of the Santa Fe Bobcats. Desperately seeking a night of escape, she shares a steamy one-night stand with Trey Owens, the team's star quarterback who is desperate for anonymity and tired of the media spotlight. Their lives get complicated when they realize their mutual connection to the head coach, forcing them to navigate secrets, family drama, and undeniable attraction.
2. Loving Him Off the Field (2014)
Aileen Rogers is an ambitious sports reporter who is determined to land an exclusive interview with the Bobcats' mysterious and reclusive kicker, Killian Reeves. Killian has a reputation for keeping his distance from the press due to personal secrets. As Aileen gets closer to her subject, she discovers the vulnerabilities beneath his tough exterior, and professional boundaries begin to blur into personal longing.
3. Takes Two to Tackle (2015)
This installment tackles heavier themes of recovery and redemption. Stephen Harrison, an offensive lineman for the Bobcats, is fresh out of rehab and struggling to keep his life on track. Enter Margaret, his no-nonsense housekeeper who provides the grounding influence he desperately needs. To appease outside pressures, they agree to a fake relationship that gradually transforms into a deeply felt, authentic connection.
4. Romancing the Running Back (2016)
Anya Fisher is a fashion-forward personal shopper looking for a fresh start in Santa Fe after escaping a controlling marriage. Josiah Walker is the Bobcats' star running back and an eco-conscious conservationist. Forced to work together to plan a wedding for their best friends, the two clash immediately—Anya views Josiah as an uptight control freak, while Josiah sees her as a superficial fashionista. Naturally, their enemies-to-lovers friction sparks a massive fire.
5. Completing the Pass (2016)
Josh Leeman is a backup quarterback who gets pushed into the starter spot when the team's primary QB is injured. Amidst the sudden media pressure, Josh's mother and the mother of real estate investor Carrington Gray try to set them up. To get their match-making mothers off their backs, Josh and Carrington agree to fake date. This novel features a poignant subplot dealing with a parent's battle with dementia, adding emotional weight to their blossoming relationship.
6. Challenging the Center (2016)
Michael Lambert is the calm, reliable center for the Bobcats who is tasked by his agent to mentor Katrina "Kat" Kelly, a professional tennis star. Kat is reeling from a massive public scandal after her ex-boyfriend leaked a private tape, damaging her career and self-esteem. Michael's steady presence helps her rebuild her confidence, and their mentor-student relationship quickly turns into a deep romance.
7. Changing Her Plans (2017)
The final book in the series centers on the turbulent, on-again, off-again romance between Sophie and Riley. Their relationship is complicated by Riley’s spoiled teenage daughter, who tests Sophie’s patience and attention. Add in family drama involving long-lost fathers and stepfather scandals, and the couple has to fight hard to secure their final victory off the field.
What to Know Before You Start
Jeanette Murray's style is light, flirty, and emotionally grounded. The football details are present enough to establish a fun team-focused environment, but they never overwhelm the story with dense statistics, making the series highly accessible to readers who aren't sports fans. The books were published by InterMix, a digital-first imprint of Penguin Random House, and are widely available in ebook format. If you enjoy Murray's writing style, you can also check out her military romance series, such as Semper Fi and First to Fight, or search for her works written under the pen name Kat Murray.